Earthquake Engineering
Through our extensive monitoring network and database, we have developed
expertise in modelling the characteristics of seismic ground motion including
The new NZ Seismic Hazard Model incorporates all this research and will
form the basis to significant changes in the loading code.
We have also developed a new subsurface strong-motion accelerometer intended
to sense the shaking of ground under soft soil sites.
Seismic Hazard Mapping
Years of scientific research coupled with our expertise in Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) have enabled us to develop comprehensive hazard
assessments that include:
Engineering Geological Services
Our specialists are able to characterise site conditions through the
following services:
Landslide and Slope Stability Services
Our engineering geologists have performed a range of services on mines,
dams road networks, and sites near critical structures. We have also participated
with rapid response teams during natural disasters. Our team offers:
With our nation-wide monitoring facilities, national databases, and specialist teams, our hazard assessment and monitoring service is unrivalled in New Zealand.
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For further information about these or any of our services contact
us here.
We live in an evolving landscape. To keep up with society's growing urbanisation, land development and environmental management, GNS has developed customisable products in the areas of
GNS provides an integrated all-hazards approach to risk assessment for emergency managers. The incorporation of physical, social and economic data is allowing us to generate new information based on the interaction between a multitude of layers. Spatial information allows us an additional dimension over traditional reporting to search for patterns in data and test "what if" scenarios.
We have experience in both the Arcinfo/Arcview and MapInfo/Discover environments and can provide expertise and training from data collection and building of a GIS to the spatial analysis of that GIS.
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us here.
Hazards and Society
Creating Community Resilience
Hazards and Society is the name given to a multi-disciplinary applied research programme that has 3 main objectives:
Understanding Community Resilience
Developing a model to understand those factors that make a community able
to withstand the consequences of natural hazards is a task being undertaken
jointly by researchers from New Zealand, Australia and the United States.
The model will examines the psychological (self-efficacy), behavioural,
and community factors that positively influence community resilience.
Hazard Impact Assessment and Emergency Management Planning
Assessing the potential impacts of natural hazard events and the resulting
emergency management issues is an ongoing area of research and consultancy.
Hazard Planning and Policy
A current project looks at how hazard management policy is developed and
how planning is undertaken. The aim is to develop a set of "best
practice" guidelines in partnership with local authorities to be
used in the formation and implementation of natural hazard policy. A significant
part of this work is to look at ways of improving the flow of scientific
natural hazard data and information to planners and emergency managers.
Responding to Emergencies
The impact of specific natural hazard events and the effectiveness of
planning, communication and training within and between organisations
is an ongoing theme of investigation. During and after the 1995-96 Ruapehu
eruptions, research assessed community vulnerability at Ohakune, changes
in risk perception in Hawke's Bay, and organisational response to the
eruption. Other examples include work that has focussed on the impacts
and management of the Queenstown floods in November 1999.
Public Response to Warning Systems
Improving public response to warning systems for tsunami, lahars and dam-break
floods is the aim of many local officials. GNS provides:
The development and implementation of training methods
On-site analysis of operating and environmental conditions and how they
impact on the effectiveness of the warning system
Hazard event simulations and evacuation exercises
Community surveys to understand their response to warning systems and
attitudes to risk
Additional services include:
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(248 kb)
For further information about these or any of our services contact
us here.